but the president does vice president the power to change the tone in washington. it takes two to consummate this tango, and obama tried. obama tried in many ways and at many different times as you know, the stimulus was more than one-third tax cuts he adopted a republican ideas for his health care reform. he went to republicans many times and said what will it take to get you to compromise with me on this bill and other bills, and he got no votes at all. so the republican's position is disrupt, be destructive, watch things fall apart, and then point their finger at him. >> jennifer: i'm curious what you think -- i have this theory that -- again, i could be all wet, but in the theme of hurricane sandy that bloomberg and chris christie who both need now significant investments to shore up their infrastructure to make sure these rolling storms which this won't be the last one since climate change is happening, that they might help to lead a charge in congress to do something finally about climate change. do you think? >> well, of course i'll begin my comments by sayi